Experiences of Racism by Female Minority and Immigrant Nursing Assistants

Abstract

In the long-term care system, gender, race, ethnicity, and class intersect. While both care providers and consumers are predominantly women, their caregiving and working relationships reflect a hierarchical pattern that is based on race and socioeconomic status. This qualitative study explored perceived racism and cultural conflicts of eight female minority and immigrant certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who work at the bottom of the nursing home industry hierarchy. On the basis of the findings, the author discusses implications for feminist practice in addressing interracial and cultural issues in nursing homes.

Exploring social‐based discrimination among nursing home certified nursing assistants

“…CNAs were often victims of racial epithets delivered by residents and/ or their family members (Berdes & Eckert, 2001;Ramirez, Teresi, & Holmes, 2006;Ryosho, 2011). CNAs were often victims of racial epithets delivered by residents and/ or their family members (Berdes & Eckert, 2001;Ramirez, Teresi, & Holmes, 2006;Ryosho, 2011).…”

“…Various studies found that CNAs typically ignored these behaviors, even though nearly a third of CNAs in Berdes and Eckert's (2001) study asserted that racism in the nursing home was worse than racism outside of the nursing home. As a result, CNAs who internalized these experiences could also reach the conclusion that they have no voice in the nursing home setting because of their racial and/or social position (Holmberg et al, 2013;Jakobsen & Sorlie, 2010;Jervis, 2002;Mercer et al, 1994;Ryosho, 2011;Travers et al, 2015).…”

“…Moreover, biases and assumptions held by nursing home residents, family members, and staff translated into poor treatment of CNA staff members from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. CNAs were often victims of racial epithets delivered by residents and/ or their family members (Berdes & Eckert, 2001;Ramirez, Teresi, & Holmes, 2006;Ryosho, 2011). Words such as 'coon' and 'jigs' and messages from residents such as '[I] don't want that nigger touching me' have become part of everyday work life for many CNAs (Berdes & Eckert, 2001;Mercer, Heacock, & Beck, 1994).…”

“…Unfortunately, CNAs commonly attribute these acts of discrimination to the residents' health state or the times in which they were born if they feel as if the resident is unaware of what they are saying (Ryosho, 2011). Various studies found that CNAs typically ignored these behaviors, even though nearly a third of CNAs in Berdes and Eckert's (2001) study asserted that racism in the nursing home was worse than racism outside of the nursing home.…”

“…Families went to minority staff for menial tasks, but requested status reports and problem-solving from white staff (Berdes & Eckert, 2001). By contrast, however, Abrahamson, Pillemer, Sechrist, and Suitor (2011) and Ryosho (2011) found that race did not directly predict either conflict with family members or poor treatment from family members for nursing assistants who cared for a predominantly white resident population (Abrahamson et al, 2011;Ryosho, 2011).…”